Misconceptions of Suspension

cbinker · November 7th, 2015, 07:38 PM

Just read this article, brought up some interesting points.

10 Misconceptions

csmith12 · November 10th, 2015, 06:11 PM

That is a pretty good read.

TnNinjaGirl · November 10th, 2015, 07:15 PM

Nice find

broken neck · November 10th, 2015, 11:35 PM

So no fork oil change this winter... Yééééé...

What I'm going to do with this free time now...

subxero · November 11th, 2015, 06:17 AM

^ oil still gets dirty, get it done!

TnNinjaGirl · November 11th, 2015, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subxero

^ oil still gets dirty, get it done!

I was slightly curious about this. I've pulled forks apart that had black fluid and smelled horrible. The new fluid was clear and smelled less horrible...

I don't think I've ever pulled a set of forks apart and noticed that the fluid was visually good. It's all been pretty nasty.

So what's the difference between what he's seeing and what I'm seeing?

adouglas · November 11th, 2015, 07:53 AM

Could it be that it's because the article mentioned a shock, not forks?

I can't think of any valid reason why one would be different from the other, though.

TnNinjaGirl · November 11th, 2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Could it be that it's because the article mentioned a shock, not forks?

I can't think of any valid reason why one would be different from the other, though.

Good point but also good point

adouglas · November 11th, 2015, 08:02 AM

Also... didn't say whether the oil in that shock was synthetic or dino.

Do they even make synthetic shock/fork oil?

TnNinjaGirl · November 11th, 2015, 08:06 AM

Yes they make synthetic. I'm not sure if they made it 14 years ago.

subxero · November 11th, 2015, 08:22 AM

I feel like there should be an * to #8

They say "A well setup race bike suspension will be to stiff for the street"

key words being Well setup race bike

What does that even mean? What it doesn't mean is your run of the mill N250 or other non SS or SB with a budget suspension.

bikes with budget suspensions don't have the complex inner workings that the more expensive SS and SB's have, so what they say is true. A well setup race bike will be fine for the street but only because it has several levels to the suspension both front and rear that work precisely in conjunction with each other from early in the stroke through the mid and deep into the stroke at different speeds of compression ect... That is not true for all bikes.

TnNinjaGirl · November 11th, 2015, 08:41 AM

I think I know what he means but I think he worded it poorly.

If you take a run of the mill CBR600rr with stock suspension but tune it for the track. IE springs, compression/rebound settings, etc... it WILL be stiffer than a street bike.

The track is smoother and one is traveling at higher speeds so the springs can be stiffer, etc, etc...

A bike set up for street is designed to be more forgiving because of the lower speeds and rough pavement/bumps.

spooph · November 11th, 2015, 09:03 AM

Concerning fluid - if it stays clean, there is no reason to change it out. I've re-used fork oil many times rebuilding various healthy forks, however, as soon as a seal fails, be it an end-seal or the tube seals, that oil becomes contaminated and needs to be purified. The oil itself won't break down, and were we able to purify it locally and re-use it it would be fine, but our only option is to switch it out.

Shocks are more resilient because they are typically less exposed to the elements. Forks get beaten up every time the bike goes out for a ride. Rubber breaks down, bad things get in there...

bdavison · November 11th, 2015, 09:20 AM

Here's another good read.

Suspension 101 - How to setup your suspension

csmith12 · November 11th, 2015, 09:45 AM

I like it when riders start to understand the suspension bits underneath them. It answers sooooooo many questions that come up.

GregS · November 26th, 2015, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

The track is smoother and one is traveling at higher speeds so the springs can be stiffer, etc, etc...

The track is smoother?
Not in Texas, well except for COTA

NDspd · December 5th, 2015, 09:45 PM

Nice little read

mgentz · December 8th, 2015, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbinker

Just read this article, brought up some interesting points.

10 Misconceptions

Ed did my suspension. He is awesome and very helpful.

November 7th, 2015, 07:38 PM	#1
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	Misconceptions of Suspension Just read this article, brought up some interesting points. 10 Misconceptions __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

November 10th, 2015, 06:11 PM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	That is a pretty good read. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

November 10th, 2015, 07:15 PM	#3
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Nice find __________________________________________________ http://www.sportbikes4hire.com

November 11th, 2015, 06:17 AM	#5
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	^ oil still gets dirty, get it done! __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

November 11th, 2015, 07:53 AM	#7
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Could it be that it's because the article mentioned a shock, not forks? I can't think of any valid reason why one would be different from the other, though. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

November 10th, 2015, 11:35 PM	#4
broken neck ninjette.org guru Name: Thomas Location: Montréal Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Special Edition (sold), 2017 CRF250 Rally Posts: 384	So no fork oil change this winter... Yééééé... What I'm going to do with this free time now...

November 11th, 2015, 08:02 AM	#9
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Also... didn't say whether the oil in that shock was synthetic or dino. Do they even make synthetic shock/fork oil? __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

November 11th, 2015, 08:06 AM	#10
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Yes they make synthetic. I'm not sure if they made it 14 years ago. __________________________________________________ http://www.sportbikes4hire.com

November 11th, 2015, 08:22 AM	#11
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	I feel like there should be an * to #8 They say "A well setup race bike suspension will be to stiff for the street" key words being Well setup race bike What does that even mean? What it doesn't mean is your run of the mill N250 or other non SS or SB with a budget suspension. bikes with budget suspensions don't have the complex inner workings that the more expensive SS and SB's have, so what they say is true. A well setup race bike will be fine for the street but only because it has several levels to the suspension both front and rear that work precisely in conjunction with each other from early in the stroke through the mid and deep into the stroke at different speeds of compression ect... That is not true for all bikes. __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

November 11th, 2015, 08:41 AM	#12
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I think I know what he means but I think he worded it poorly. If you take a run of the mill CBR600rr with stock suspension but tune it for the track. IE springs, compression/rebound settings, etc... it WILL be stiffer than a street bike. The track is smoother and one is traveling at higher speeds so the springs can be stiffer, etc, etc... A bike set up for street is designed to be more forgiving because of the lower speeds and rough pavement/bumps. __________________________________________________ http://www.sportbikes4hire.com
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 11th, 2015, 09:03 AM	#13
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	Concerning fluid - if it stays clean, there is no reason to change it out. I've re-used fork oil many times rebuilding various healthy forks, however, as soon as a seal fails, be it an end-seal or the tube seals, that oil becomes contaminated and needs to be purified. The oil itself won't break down, and were we able to purify it locally and re-use it it would be fine, but our only option is to switch it out. Shocks are more resilient because they are typically less exposed to the elements. Forks get beaten up every time the bike goes out for a ride. Rubber breaks down, bad things get in there... __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 11th, 2015, 09:20 AM	#14
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Here's another good read. Suspension 101 - How to setup your suspension
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

November 11th, 2015, 09:45 AM	#15
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I like it when riders start to understand the suspension bits underneath them. It answers sooooooo many questions that come up. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

December 5th, 2015, 09:45 PM	#17
NDspd 1/4 English, 3/4 Kick Ass Name: Jeremy Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Triumph Speed Triple 955i, '05 Suzuki SV650S(retired), '11 Ninja 250R(sold) Posts: A lot.	Nice little read

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcycle.com] - Top 10 Misconceptions about Motorcycle Suspension	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 5th, 2015 06:21 PM
[motorcyclistonline] - Making Sense Of Suspension: ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 4th, 2015 11:50 AM
[motorcycle.com] - K-Tech Suspension Announces Classic Custom Suspension	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 7th, 2015 09:40 PM
[roadracingworld.com] - JRi Shocks And GP Suspension Team Up To Offer Suspension Pack	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 14th, 2012 01:40 PM
[roadracingworld.com] - STM Suspension Holding Suspension Seminar June 25 In Colorado	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 21st, 2011 10:10 AM